Kunduz City (BNA) First round of spring polio vaccination campaign kicked off in northern Kunduz province the other day.
Dr. Mohammad Nabi Azim deputy of public health department in Kunduz told BNA reporter, in this round 400,000 children under the age of 5 years to be vaccinated in center and districts of the province.
Abdul Jabbar Naimi governor of Kunduz in beginning ceremony of the program said, for better implementation of polio vaccination in different parts of Kunduz province, everyone have responsibility to cooperate with health employees.
T/M.A.Ansari

Herat (BNA) An Iranian citizen has detained on charges of smuggling 29kgs of heroin in Herat province yesterday.
Abdul Ahad Walizada spokesman of Herat security directorate told BNA, the Iranian national has been detained from Islam-Qala border by police forces.
He skillfully placed 29kgs of heroin in tire of a tanker vehicle and wanted to smuggle it to Iran, was detained by police forces.
T. Yarzada

Jalalabad (BNA) Two key members of Taliban group were detained by National Directorate of Security (NDS) officials in Nangarhar province.
Mullah Ikramullah and Mullah Saifullah have been detained in a special operation by NDS personnel from Jalalabad city.
Ataullah Khogyani spokesman for Nangarhar governor told BNA, the two key associates of Taliban were detained while terrorist and destructive activities in Khogyani District and Jalalabad city.
The captives were confessed that they had activate role in tens of terrorist activities against government in Khogyani District and Jalalabad city.
T. Yarzada

Paroon (BNA) Nine militants associated Taliban group were killed in a clash by security forces in Nooristan province.
The individuals were shelling by security forces while passing from Durand Line in Kamdish District.
A top police commander in the east of the country told BNA, in the conflict nine invaders were killed.
Another report says the security officials of the province prevented from a series of blasts in that province.
Reports say, the security officials discovered and defused four mines from roads of the province and prevented from deadly events.
Mostly Taliban planted bombs and mines on roads of the province and victimized innocent civilians.
T. Yarzada

Herat (BNA) Two drug narcotic dealers have been detained in Herat province.
The men were residents of Faryab province have been detained by counter narcotic personnel of Herat security command from Shaidai region of the province.
A security official of Herat told BNA, the arrested men were involved for selling of narcotic to addicted people.
T. Yarzada

Kabul (BNA) In unannounced visit Jim Mattes, U.S. Defense Secretary has arrived to Kabul on Tuesday, March 13, 2018.
According to BNA report, it has been said, Mattes to meet U.S. military officials and Mohammad Ashraf Ghani president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and to exchange views on matters relating to mutual interests, including war on terror and peace process in Afghanistan.
It is supposed that Mattes to meet with other high-ranking governmental officials, including Chief Executive, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah during his staying in Kabul, the source added.
T/M.A.Ansari

Kabul (BNA) 135 armed oppositions including 4 local commanders killed and 94 others injured in joint operations conducted by AND and SF within the last 24 hours across the country.
Ministry of National Defense press office by sending a statement issued BNA, the operations were launched with supports of Afghan air and artillery forces to annihilate anti-government militias, protect the lives and properties of people and ensure security and stability in insecure areas of Nangarhar, Kunar, Parwan, Ghazni, Logar, Kandahar, Zabul, Urozgan, Farah, Faryab, Nimroz and Helmand provinces.
Four local commanders of the terrorists identified as the names of Amin, Rahmatullah, Nazir and Mullah Edriss were killed during a military operation in Khas Urozgan district, Urozgan province, source added.
Dozen vehicles, motorcycles, communication means, large amount of heavy and light weapons, ammunitions belonging the insurgents have been discovered and seized during the military operations, the source further added.
Also, within the last 24 hours 14 planned mopping-up operations, 60 special operations and 45 air strikes have been carried out by Afghan National Defense and Security Forces in relevant areas of 11 provinces of the country.
T/M.A.Ansari

Kabul (BNA) Chaired by Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the Council of Ministers (CMs) held meeting the other day, Bakhtar News Agency reported. According to the agency, pointing at martyrdom of Abdul Ali Mazari and Mohammad Qasim Fahim death, CE Dr. Abdullah added Mazari and Fahim were the key figures during jihad and resistance period. Condemning recent terrorist attacks CE Abdullah prayed for the souls of recent martyrs and asked patience for their families, BNA added. In the meeting, CE Abdullah said the government sent peace message to Taliban in Kabul Process meeting, a move welcomed by the international community and indicates our firm will and commitments on peace with armed insurgents, the agency went on to say.
“But the Taliban rejected peace voice and once again continued killing innocent people,” Dr. Abdullah said. CE Dr. Abdullah hoped once day, the Afghan people would reach their dream which is restoring peace throughout the country, BNA continued. Pointing at International Women’s Day held last week, Dr. Abdullah said, “Today, women play key role in different fields and the government would support their rights and demands and is committed in this regard.” He also said disputes on Balkh was about to be figured out, adding we hope we would have achievements in other fields as well and the people witness change on peace front. “We have two fronts, peace front and war front,” Dr. Abdullah said. He added unity and cohesion can guarantee our success to reach peace.
Furthermore, the interior minister presented a report on police and security forces’ achievements and said efforts were underway beyond the border so the Taliban and Daesh reach an agreement in some areas. Lauding Afghan security forces efforts, Dr. Abdullah said we would make effort to thank Afghan National Defense and Security Forces functions in “Security Forces Day.” He instructed the security forces’ leadership to finalize promotion process of generals and officers to come into effect. According to agenda, the finance minister presented a report on national budget consumption from Jadi 1st to Hoot 19th 1397 fiscal year. Based on report, totally over 269.6 billion Afghanis have been issued for ordinary and development allocations which form 70 percent of the budget.
The report suggested that the country’s ordinary revenue form 46 percent of the total budget. Likewise, Kabul mayor presented a report on protection of historical and cultural monuments and sites all over the city. According to him, there are 73 historical monuments in 1st and 2nd districts of Kabul and totally, there are 171 historical, religious and cultural places recorded in the capital. Thanking Kabul Municipality to have recorded the historical constructions and places, Dr. Abdullah said the investigation results of the tasked commission should be printed in a book in cooperation with the ministry of information and culture. Appreciating the ministry of labor and social affairs proposal and innovation, CE Dr. Abdullah said availing the opportunity, some proposals and strategies should be arranged to practically help provide employment opportunities.

Kabul (BNA) President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani chaired the National Procurement Commission (NPC) here at the presidential palace, a statement said yesterday.
According to presidential statement to BNA, the session approved Afghanistan’s Telecom Regulatory Authority’s (ATRA) investment plan on contracts for Fiber Optic project worth 383 million USD and five other contracts worth 475 million Afghanis which are included: Contract of reconstruction of second phase of Gardiz-Zurmat road related to ministry of public works, contract for establishment of five quality check centers in universities of ministry of higher education and the contract for resumption of the work of the deputy ministry on procurement affairs of the ministry of interior. Meanwhile, the session also approved the contract on procurement of fuel to ministry of urban development and housing and procurement of dairy to administrative office of the president.
The session approved the investment contract of ATRA on Fiber Optic to the four companies of AWCC, Etisalat, Roshan and the Asian Consultancy Group and rejected the offer of the fifth company (Amania & Connectivity International) due to lack of requirements. The commission also rejected the offer of MTN Company due to lack of submitting proper documents to the bidding. Meanwhile, the commission also approved amendments to the contracts of equipment and scrolls related to De Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat, ministry of defense, border forces commandership, decreasing the price for transportation of wheat related too ministry of agriculture and livestock and rejection of the livelihood related to ministry of public works. The commission also approved the reports on evaluation of 100 bed hospital project in Kapisa province and the activities of domestic audit firms by the assigned commission.
President Ghani emphasized that the works of Kapisa 100 bed hospital should be completed on due time as according to the president, the people needed such hospital in the province. President Ghani also asked for decisive steps against the domestic audit firms, criticizing their financial auditing of companies in Afghanistan. He said those presenting false report on financial status of companies should be prosecuted. The meeting was attended by Second Vice-President Mohammad Sarwar Danesh, Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, national and international observers including the commission for finance and budget of the house of people, SIGAR and combined security transition command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A) of the Resolute Mission.

Kabul (BNA) Taliban boycotting Indonesia Peace Conference which will be held during the current month to discuss the war situation in Afghanistan proved that they fare from facing religious scholars.
BNA analyst of religious affairs commenting on the issue writes it is due to the religious scholars from all over Islamic world come together in Indonesia during the current month to discuss war situation in Afghanistan, which is used an incentive of so called Jihad by Taliban.
The conference is held by the proposal of Indonesian president.
The Indonesian President visited Pakistan and Afghanistan last month. Indonesia as the largest Islamic country is trying as an impartial mediator provide the ground for peace talks among sections involved in Afghan dispute that has caused huge casualties in destructions in the country. The conference aiming to provide reach the ground for an agreement among involved groups and supporting peace negotiations among them.
Taliban as one of the involved groups in war against Afghan people and government has named this barbaric dispute Jihad and continues the crime with chanting Islamic slogan and Islamic incentive. The group has not become ready so far to negotiate with Afghan government.
Sometimes ago, President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul Process session which was held with participation of 25 countries and three international organization in Kabul, presented a series of proposal to Taliban and encourage them to peace talks. But instead responding positively to Islamic principle based proposal, carrying a suicide on Qbilby area Kabul city, insisted on their extremist stance once again.
However, the conference initiated by Indonesia is different from all other proposals and programs have made so far, Indonesia as the biggest Islamic country, trying to proceed for settling the Afghan dispute and find a way for ending the dispute in the light of Islamic ideology and teachings.
Indonesia has invited the religious scholars and elites from across Islamic world to assess Afghan problem according Islamic instructions, in reality the conference is a gathering of religious scholars, but Taliban boycott it.
The group recently issuing an announcement has said that Indonesia conference trying to draw a horrible picture from Jihad in Afghanistan, it is an illegal act …….. And Islamic scholars attending the conference should not be used as a means.
A number of Islamic scholar and political experts say that Taliban have made an unforgiveable mistake because the conference does not impose anything to any but provides an opportunity for scholars to express their views on Afghan dispute according Islam and Islamic teachings.
The Indonesia conference is also a good opportunity for Taliban to offer their reasons to other religious scholars for so called their Jihad and their demands on that regard.
It is a clear fact that Taliban use the faith and sharia as a means while chanting Islamic slogans, act according to instruction of others. They deny negotiations and discussions the matters with Islamic scholars but instead, they are appealing and crying for negotiation with America, they are seeking political power from America not from Afghan people.
Taliban boycotting the Indonesia conference once again proved that the y have no will of their own and nothing to tell because they are not independent, therefore they fear to face true religious scholars.
Abdul Khalil Minawi
BNA Director General